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i have to wonder. B/c, AY was originally slated to have the arena done by 2009, and have office and residential and low-income residental. Ratner has since claimed the unexpected financial crash laid waste to those plans. But if they had started construction in early 2008 like they planned, maybe we would have had something better, i.e., what the city agreed to. which is not to say i agree with the ED, its just, i personally thing we got the worst outcome with that eyesore gymnasium to be completed in 20-never and nothing else.
huh, that’s a good point benson, re: the legislation (or lack of) on ED, following all of this. tell me, do you think that if there had not been a DDDB, Ratner would have gone ahead with the Gehry design? Or do you think he never intended on doing it?
My comments, from the AT thread, regarding Dan Goldstein:
“Those who supported DG and DDB, I would urge you to think about what has been gained for your movement.
To me, one of the ironic parts of this whole issue is this: while DDDB and their ilk were supposedly fighting the good fight against ED abuse, something like 36 states have actually enacted laws tightening up their ED procedures in the wake of the Kelo decision. In NY, however, nothing has been accomplished in this regard. Nor is their any serious movement underway to do so.
Unlike other seminal events in the history of this city (say, for instance, the destruction of the old Penn Station), this event will lead to no new movement. And for that, you can thank the now-rich egomaniac, Dan Goldstein.”
“If a doorman isn’t doing his job, it’s partially the residents’ fault.”
I agree with that, NOP. At my last co-op on the UES, I was on the Board for a few years and most other Board members were older and had been in the building a long time. They seemed to not understand the issues I had with the doormen and wanted no part in trying to change anything. In fact, the only change of note was to get them a place to sit and install automatic doors so the doormen literally rarely had to get up.
Personally, I’ve found I can exist quite easily without doormen and in fact I prefer not having them. Having said that, I do think seeing them along Park Avenue and other upscale neighbourhoods is part of what makes New York unique, sort of like the Beefeaters in London. They didn’t serve much purpose for me, but they are somewhat of an institution.
Regardless, whether or not we agree on an issue, NOP, I always find your writing both compelling and interesting.
From what I’ve learned, people in these situations are easily misinterpreted in their actions and motives by the very nature of the process. Ratner is no devil, Goldstein no angel; we’re sideline players who only have a few widely-reported and copied facts and our own personal experiences of how these things play out to go on.
What is needed is someone with the voice to communicate this is good for the city, to persuade both sides. No such persona exists. Maybe Brownstoner should publish an editorial about it and be that voice of reason.
If a doorman isn’t doing his job, it’s partially the residents’ fault.
After my parents died and left me their place, I spent a year quietly letting the staff know what my requirements were (very different from theirs), according them thanks, respect and — yes — larger Christmas bonuses as they came around.
There’s a dynamic between residents and staff. A slack staff can be the result of indifferent residents.
My brother’s building is filling up with new arrivals to the city, unnaccustomed to dealing with a staff. They’re either slack themselves or abusive, and it shows in the staff’s quality of work, which has declined over the past few years.
Building staff are like anybody else in the work world. They reflect the work place’s expectations and reward system.
i have to wonder. B/c, AY was originally slated to have the arena done by 2009, and have office and residential and low-income residental. Ratner has since claimed the unexpected financial crash laid waste to those plans. But if they had started construction in early 2008 like they planned, maybe we would have had something better, i.e., what the city agreed to. which is not to say i agree with the ED, its just, i personally thing we got the worst outcome with that eyesore gymnasium to be completed in 20-never and nothing else.
Blowfish;
Hard to say. I think the economic meltdown had as much to do with his change of plans as the court fights.
I’m with you: I wish the Gehry plans were back.
I’m happy to see the cranes moving, however, and I don’t live that far from the site.
huh, that’s a good point benson, re: the legislation (or lack of) on ED, following all of this. tell me, do you think that if there had not been a DDDB, Ratner would have gone ahead with the Gehry design? Or do you think he never intended on doing it?
My comments, from the AT thread, regarding Dan Goldstein:
“Those who supported DG and DDB, I would urge you to think about what has been gained for your movement.
To me, one of the ironic parts of this whole issue is this: while DDDB and their ilk were supposedly fighting the good fight against ED abuse, something like 36 states have actually enacted laws tightening up their ED procedures in the wake of the Kelo decision. In NY, however, nothing has been accomplished in this regard. Nor is their any serious movement underway to do so.
Unlike other seminal events in the history of this city (say, for instance, the destruction of the old Penn Station), this event will lead to no new movement. And for that, you can thank the now-rich egomaniac, Dan Goldstein.”
i just really want that Frank Gehry design back. Is there any chance they’ll go back to that? or are they now $3mm short for getting the Gehry design?
“Oh no no no- I think DG just made a huge fool of ratner.”
Yeah OK, whatever. I’m just glad we don’t have to hear anymore (in an official DDDB capacity) from this guy, a self-interested dilettante.
“If a doorman isn’t doing his job, it’s partially the residents’ fault.”
I agree with that, NOP. At my last co-op on the UES, I was on the Board for a few years and most other Board members were older and had been in the building a long time. They seemed to not understand the issues I had with the doormen and wanted no part in trying to change anything. In fact, the only change of note was to get them a place to sit and install automatic doors so the doormen literally rarely had to get up.
Personally, I’ve found I can exist quite easily without doormen and in fact I prefer not having them. Having said that, I do think seeing them along Park Avenue and other upscale neighbourhoods is part of what makes New York unique, sort of like the Beefeaters in London. They didn’t serve much purpose for me, but they are somewhat of an institution.
Regardless, whether or not we agree on an issue, NOP, I always find your writing both compelling and interesting.
From what I’ve learned, people in these situations are easily misinterpreted in their actions and motives by the very nature of the process. Ratner is no devil, Goldstein no angel; we’re sideline players who only have a few widely-reported and copied facts and our own personal experiences of how these things play out to go on.
What is needed is someone with the voice to communicate this is good for the city, to persuade both sides. No such persona exists. Maybe Brownstoner should publish an editorial about it and be that voice of reason.
Biff:
If a doorman isn’t doing his job, it’s partially the residents’ fault.
After my parents died and left me their place, I spent a year quietly letting the staff know what my requirements were (very different from theirs), according them thanks, respect and — yes — larger Christmas bonuses as they came around.
There’s a dynamic between residents and staff. A slack staff can be the result of indifferent residents.
My brother’s building is filling up with new arrivals to the city, unnaccustomed to dealing with a staff. They’re either slack themselves or abusive, and it shows in the staff’s quality of work, which has declined over the past few years.
Building staff are like anybody else in the work world. They reflect the work place’s expectations and reward system.
It’s the same for them as it is for any of us.